EBR 1190RX review

Buell is back, with the EBR 1190RX, but is it a match for some very talent
rivals?

Few business people have experienced career highs and lows to compare with those of Erik Buell, whose 1190RX superbike is now on sale. Buell established his eponymous brand as America’s first sports bike manufacturer, and saw it first backed and then bought by mighty Harley-Davidson — which abruptly shut down the Wisconsin-based marque in October 2009, as the credit crunch hit.

Buell’s emotional video announcing the closure of the firm of which he’d been CEO made grim viewing, but the 64-year-old entrepreneur, engineer and former racer is tenacious. Instead of opting for comfortable retirement, he rehired a handful of former employees, set up a new firm, Erik Buell Racing (Harley still owns the Buell brand name), and started work to develop a new machine.

EBR’s first motorcycle was an exotic, racy V-twin called the 1190RS, which was sold in small numbers, almost exclusively in the US. Now, following backing from giant Indian motorcycle manufacturer Hero (which paid US $25 million for a 49.2 per cent stake in the company last year), the American firm has released a follow-up model, the 1190RX, for more widespread sale. Its much lower price of £13,998 pits it directly against European and Japanese rivals.

In styling terms the sleek, fully-faired RX is conventional, lacking the elegance of a typical Ducati and MV Agusta, but also being mercifully free of the awkward shapes that marred several Buell models. It has an aggressive, leant-forward riding position, and some of the distinctive engineering for which the innovative Erik Buell is known. Fuel is held inside the broad aluminium frame spars, allowing the “petrol tank” to become an airbox; the front brake features a single, large-diameter perimeter disc, fixed to the wheel rim rather than the hub.

The 1,191cc, liquid-cooled V-twin engine, based on that of the old Buell firm’s 1125R, shares its dohc, eight-valve layout and 72-degree cylinder angle. It has been enlarged and updated, notably with a novel system by which one of each cylinder’s titanium inlet valves opens slightly before the other, creating a swirl that enhances combustion efficiency.

This seems to work, because the 1190RX produces an impressive 185bhp with a very broad spread of torque. Coupled with the bike’s light weight of 190kg, the result is thrilling performance. The engine is wonderfully responsive, pulling from low revs to send the bike thundering towards a top speed of over 180mph.

More importantly the RX has a very crisp throttle response, a pleasing V-twin character and is very easy to ride, although the heavy clutch would be a drawback in town. The bike was a delight on its launch at the damp Italian circuit of Varano, near Bologna. The slippery surface highlighted the traction control system, which works well, although unlike some it can’t be adjusted on the move.

Inevitably chassis performance was also compromised by the conditions, but the EBR impressed with its light yet accurate handling, and the ride quality and control of its Japanese-made Showa suspension. The front brake, whose big perimeter disc is gripped by an eight-piston caliper, provides excellent feel and should give plenty of stopping power too, though it’s a shame that ABS is not initially available.

A dry circuit would be needed to confirm the bike’s full ability, but first signs are very encouraging. Erik Buell is confident enough in the RX to have entered two American riders in this season’s World Superbike championship. Competing against experienced factory teams has so far proved predictably challenging.

Buell faces a similarly tough job to establish his new brand, but the RX, which will be followed by a naked derivative in September, is an impressive first step. You’d require some of the veteran engineer’s natural optimism and appreciation of the underdog to choose this unproven superbike ahead of established rivals from Aprilia, Ducati and all. But if anyone deserves a little faith it’s Erik Buell, for whom the 1190RX’s arrival is confirmation of a remarkable comeback.

THE FACTS

EBR 1190RX

Tested: 1,191cc four-stroke V-twin, six-speed transmission

Price/on sale: £13,998/Now

Power/torque: 185bhp @ 10,600rpm/102lb ft @ 8,200rpm

Top speed: 185mph (estimated)

Range: 110 miles @ 35mpg (estimated)

Verdict: The best American sports bike yet: a fast, light and sweet-handling V-twin with some distinctive engineering features and few rough edges